Phalaenopsis plant named &#39;precious love&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘Precious Love’, characterized by its upright plant habit; moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit; strong flowering stems; strong leaves; freely flowering habit with typically two inflorescences per plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers; purplish pink-colored flowers with darker purplish pink-colored stripes and venation; and good postproduction longevity.

CROSS-REFERENCED TO CLOSELY-RELATED APPLICATIONS

Title: Varieties of Phalaenopsis Plants

Inventor: René Schoone

Filed: Jun. 6, 2020

Ser. No.: 62/705,003

Inventor and Applicant/Assignee hereby claims the benefit of this provisional U.S. Patent Application.

Title: Phalaenopsis Plant Named ‘Gallery Play’

Inventor: René Schoone

Applicant: Floricultura B.V.

Filed: Concurrently with the instant application

Botanical designation: Phalaenopsis hybrida.

Cultivar denomination: ‘PRECIOUS LOVE’.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY INVENTOR and APPLICANT/ASSIGNEE

An European Community Plant Breeder's Rights application for the instant plant was filed by the Applicant/Assignee of the instant application, Floricultura B.V. of Heemskerk, The Netherlands on Sep. 17, 2020, application number 2020/2190. Foreign priority is not claimed to this European Community Plant Breeder's Rights application.

The Inventor and Applicant/Assignee assert that no publications nor advertisements relating to sales, offers for sale or public distribution occurred more than one year prior to the effective filing date of this application. Any information about the claimed plant would have been obtained from a direct or indirect disclosure from the Inventor and/or Applicant/Assignee. Inventor and Applicant/Assignee claim a prior art exception under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1) for disclosure and/or sales prior to the filing date but less than one year prior to the effective filing date.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrida, and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘Precious Love’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Den Hoorn and Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program is to develop new fast-growing and freely flowering Phalaenopsis plants with good leaf shape and large flowers with unique and attractive patterns and coloration.

The new Phalaenopsis plant originated from a cross-pollination in January, 2011 in Den Hoorn, The Netherlands of a proprietary selection of Phalaenopsis hybrida identified as code number ST 3970, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection of Phalaenopsis hybrida identified as code number ST 3676, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Phalaenopsis plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination grown in a controlled greenhouse environment in Heemskerk, The Netherlands in August, 2017.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by in vitro meristem propagation in a controlled environment in Assendelft, The Netherlands since August, 2018 has shown that the unique features of this new Phalaenopsis plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Precious Love’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Precious Love’ as a new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant:

-   -   1. Upright plant habit.     -   2. Moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit.     -   3. Strong flowering stems.     -   4. Strong leaves.     -   5. Freely flowering habit with typically two inflorescences per         plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers.     -   6. Purplish pink-colored flowers with darker purplish         pink-colored stripes and venation.     -   7. Good postproduction longevity.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the female parent selection. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily from plants of the female parent selection in flower color as plants of the new Phalaenopsis have purplish pink-colored flowers with darker purplish pink-colored stripes and venation whereas plants of the female parent selection have light purple-colored flowers with little to no distinct venation.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the male parent selection. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily from plants of the male parent selection in flower color as plants of the new Phalaenopsis have purplish pink-colored flowers with darker purplish pink-colored stripes and venation whereas plants of the male parent selection have light violet-colored flowers without stripes and distinct venation.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Gallery Play’, disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/705,003 and in a U.S. Plant Patent application filed concurrently. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily from plants of ‘Gallery Play’ in flower color as plants of the new Phalaenopsis have purplish pink-colored flowers with darker purplish pink-colored stripes and venation whereas plants of ‘Precious Love’ have pale purple-colored flowers with reddish purple-colored stripes and venation.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can also be compared to plants of Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Good Karma’, disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/705,003 and in a U.S. Plant Patent application filed concurrently. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily from plants of ‘Good Karma’ in flower color as flowers of plants of the new Phalaenopsis have less dense venation and stripes than flowers of plants of ‘Good Karma’. In addition, the curvature of the labellum is stronger in plants of the new Phalaenopsis than plants of ‘Good Karma’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Phalaenopsis plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Phalaenopsis plant.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1) is a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘Precious Love’ grown in a container.

The photograph on the second sheet (FIG. 2) is a close-up view of typical flowers of ‘Precious Love’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations and measurements describe plants grown during the late autumn in 10.5-cm containers in a glass-covered greenhouse in Heemskerk, The Netherlands and under cultural practices typically used in commercial Phalaenopsis production. Plants were 18 months old when the photographs and description were taken. During the first twelve months of production of the plants, day and night temperatures averaged 27° C. During the final six months of production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 20° C. to 22° C. and night temperatures ranged from 18° C. to 20° C. During the 18 months of production, light levels ranged from a minimum of 5,000 lux to a maximum of 10,000 lux. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Precious Love’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Proprietary selection of Phalaenopsis hybrida             identified as code number ST 3970, not patented.         -   Male parent.—Proprietary selection of Phalaenopsis hybrida             identified as code number ST 3676, not patented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—By in vitro meristem propagation.         -   Time to initiate roots, summer and winter.—About two weeks             at temperatures about 28° C. to 30° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer and             winter.—About 20 to 25 weeks at temperatures about 28° C. to             30° C.         -   Root description.—Thick, fibrous; typically grey to green in             color; actual color of the roots is dependent on substrate             composition, water quality, fertilizer, substrate             temperature and age of roots.         -   Rooting habit.—Low amount of branching; medium density. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant form and growth habit.—Herbaceous epiphyte; upright             plant habit with typically two inflorescences per plant,             each inflorescence with numerous flowers; monopodial;             moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit and moderate             growth rate.         -   Plant height, substrate level to top of foliar plane.—About             14 cm.         -   Plant height, substrate level to top of             inflorescences.—About 46.2 cm.         -   Plant diameter or spread.—About 29.8 cm. -   Leaf description:     -   -   Arrangement and quantity.—Distichous, simple; sessile; about             six leaves per plant.         -   Length.—About 14.6 cm.         -   Width.—About 6.4 cm.         -   Aspect.—Upright to outwardly arching.         -   Shape.—Narrowly obovate; slightly carinate.         -   Apex.—Unequal obtuse.         -   Base.—Sheathing. Sheath length: About 1.4 cm. Sheath width:             About 1.4 cm. Sheath color: Close to 144B slightly tinged             with close to 146A to 146B.         -   Margin.—Entire; not undulate.         -   Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces.—Smooth,             glabrous; slightly glossy.         -   Venation pattern.—Camptodromous.         -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to NN137A             slightly flushed with slightly darker than 191A. Developing             leaves, lower surface: Close to 146B; towards the margins,             close to NN137B to NN137C. Fully expanded leaves, upper             surface: Close to NN137A flushed with slightly darker than             191A; venation, close to NN137A. Fully expanded leaves,             lower surface: Close to 146B; towards the margins, close to             146A; venation, close to 137A. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance and flowering habit.—Showy zygomorphic flowers             arranged on axillary branched racemes; typically two             inflorescences per plant; each inflorescence with about ten             flowers; flowers face outwardly on arching inflorescences             supported by upright peduncles; flowers with three petals,             two lateral petals and one center petal transformed into a             labellum and three sepals.         -   Fragrance.—None detected.         -   Time to flower.—Plants begin flowering about six months             after planting; plants flower naturally during the winter             into the spring.         -   Flower longevity.—Long flowering period, individual flowers             maintain good substance for about eight weeks on the plant;             flowers not persistent.         -   Inflorescence length (lowermost flower to inflorescence             apex).—About 26.9 cm.         -   Inflorescence width.—About 16.4 cm.         -   Flower buds.—Height: About 2.2 cm. Diameter: About 1.6 cm by             2 cm. Shape: Broadly ovate. Color: Close to 145C; upper             surface, distally, tinged with close to N77B.         -   Flower size.—Large, about 8.2 cm (vertical) by 9.1 cm             (horizontal).         -   Flower depth.—About 3 cm.         -   Petals, quantity and arrangement.—Three, two lateral petals             and one center petal transformed into a labellum.         -   Lateral petals.—Length: About 4.7 cm. Width: About 6.1 cm.             Shape: Lunate to reniform; slightly concave. Apex: Shallowly             retuse to rounded. Margin: Entire. Texture and luster, upper             and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous, velvety; matte. Color:             When opening, upper surface: Close to N78D; towards the             base, close to 76A; venation, close to NN78A and NN78B;             finer venation towards the margins and apex. When opening,             lower surface: Close to N75D; towards the base, tinged with             close to 145C; venation, close to 70B; finer venation             towards the margins and apex. Fully opened, upper surface:             Close to between N78C and N78D; towards the margins and             apex, close to 76D; towards the base, close to 84C to             slightly lighter than 84C; venation, close to N78B and             NN78B; finer venation towards the margins and apex; color             does not change with subsequent development. Fully opened,             lower surface: Close to N75C; center and towards the             margins, close to 76D; venation, close to 77B; finer             venation towards the margins and apex; color does not change             with subsequent development.         -   Labella.—Appearance: Three-parted with two lateral lobes and             a central lobe. Length, lateral lobes: About 2.3 cm. Width,             lateral lobes: About 1.6 cm. Length, central lobe: About             3.7 cm. Width, central lobe: About 6 mm to 22 mm. Shape,             lateral lobes: Obovate. Shape, central lobe: Deltoid. Apex,             lateral lobes: Obtuse. Apex, central lobe: Cleft with two             narrow and strongly recurved cirrose tips, about 1.1 cm in             length and about 0.9 mm in width. Margins, lateral lobes:             Entire; coarsely undulate. Margins, central lobe: Entire.             Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth,             glabrous, moderately velvety; matte. Callosities: Located at             the base of the labellum and attachment point of the lateral             petals; about 5 mm in length, about 7 mm in width and about             5 mm in height. Color: When opening, upper surface: Lateral             lobes: Close to N78C; upper margin, close to NN155D;             venation, close to NN78A; towards the base, close to 71A             slightly tinged with close to 12C and with stripes, close to             156C. Central lobe: Close to NN78C; main vein, darker than             NN78A and lateral venation, close to NN78A to NN78B; upper             margin strongly tinged with close to 151C; towards the base,             close to 157A with radial stripes, close to 185A; cirrose             tips, close to NN78A. Callosities: Close to 5D densely             covered with fine dots, close to 185A. When opening, lower             surface: Lateral lobes: Close to N78C; basal margin tinged             with close to 71A; towards the base, close to 156B tinged             with close to 157A. Central lobe: Close to 195A; towards the             margins and apex, close to NN78A and NN78B; towards the             base, close to 84C; at the base, close to 196B; cirrose             tips, close to NN78A. Fully opened, upper surface: Lateral             lobes: Close to N78C; upper margin, close to NN155D; lower             half, close to 71A and with stripes, close to 156C slightly             tinged with close to 13B; venation, close to NN78A. Central             lobe: Close to NN78B; upper margin, strongly tinged with             close to 153A; at the base, close to 157A with radial             stripes, close to 185A; main vein, close to N79C; cirrose             tips, close to NN78A. Callosities: Close to 6D densely             covered with fine dots, close to 185A. Fully opened, lower             surface: Lateral lobes: Close to N78D; basal margin tinged             with close to 71A and upper margin tinged with close to 22A             to 22B; towards the base, close to 156B tinged with close to             157A. Central lobe: Close to 195A; towards the margins,             close to 72A; upper margin, close to 60A; towards the base,             close to 76C; at the base, close to 196B; cirrose tips,             close to NN78A.         -   Sepals.—Quantity and arrangement: Three, one upper dorsal             sepal and two lower lateral sepals. Length, dorsal sepal:             About 4.6 cm. Width, dorsal sepal: About 3.4 cm. Length,             lateral sepals: About 4.7 cm. Width, lateral sepals: About             3 cm. Shape, dorsal sepal: Broadly obovate. Shape, lateral             sepals: Ovate. Apex, dorsal sepal: Obtuse to broadly and             bluntly acute. Apex, lateral sepals: Acute. Base, dorsal             sepal: Truncate. Base, lateral sepals: Cuneate. Margin,             dorsal and lateral sepals: Entire. Texture and luster,             dorsal and lateral sepals, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth,             glabrous, velvety; matte. Color, dorsal sepal: When opening,             upper surface: Close to N78C; towards the apex and base,             close to 77D; venation, close to N78A; finer venation             towards the margins and apex. When opening, lower surface:             Close to 182C; towards the base, tinged with close to 147D;             venation, close to 183C; finer venation towards the margins             and apex. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to between N78C             and N78D; towards the margins and apex, close to 76C to 76D;             towards the base, close to N75C to N75D; venation, close to             between N78A and N78B; finer venation towards the margins             and apex; color does not change with subsequent development.             Fully opened, lower surface: Close to 77C to 77D; center and             towards the base, tinged with close to 147D; venation, close             to N78B; finer venation towards the margins and apex; color             does not change with subsequent development. Color, lateral             sepals: When opening, upper surface: Close to 76D; lower             half, close to between 150C and 150D with fine dots, close             to 187C; venation, close to N78A; finer venation towards the             margins and apex. When opening, lower surface: Close to             145A; venation, close to 183C; finer venation towards the             margins and apex. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 77D;             lower half, close to between 146D and 147D with fine dots,             close to 187C; venation, close to N78A; finer venation             towards the margins and apex. Fully opened, lower surface:             Close to 75A; distally tinged with close to 71C; towards the             base, close to 145C; venation, close to 72C; finer venation             towards the margins and apex.         -   Peduncles.—Length: About 51.9 cm. Diameter: About 5 mm.             Strength: Strong. Aspect: Upright to outwardly arching.             Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: Close to             147A; fine dots, close to 147C to 147D.         -   Pedicels.—Length: About 3.8 cm. Diameter: About 3.25 mm.             Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: About 55° from peduncle             axis. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color:             Close to 147C; proximally, close to 146B to 146C and             distally, close to 145C to 145D.         -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Column length: About 1 cm.             Column width: About 7 mm. Column color: Close to 76C and             distally, close to N75B. Pollinia quantity: Two. Pollinia             diameter (per two pollinia): About 3 mm. Pollinia color:             Close to 23A. Gynoecium: Stigma length: About 4 mm. Stigma             width: About 5 mm. Stigma shape: Reniform. Stigma color:             Close to N155A. Ovary length: About 8 mm. Ovary diameter:             About 1 mm. Ovary color: Close to 145D. Seeds and fruits: To             date, seed and fruit development have not been observed on             plants of the new Phalaenopsis. -   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Phalaenopsis     have not been shown to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to     Phalaenopsis plants. -   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been     observed to tolerate temperatures ranging from about 15° to about     40° C. and are suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 10 to 12. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named ‘Precious Love’ as illustrated and described. 